Pet owners warned of two upcoming law changes that could see dogs seized

Two UK law changes were reported: primate licensing will be phased in with a transition from 6 April 2025 and enforcement from 6 April 2026, and new livestock-worrying provisions with expanded police powers and increased penalties are due on 18 March 2026.

Two legal changes affecting pet owners in England were reported, covering private primate keeping and dog-related livestock offences. Officials say the primate licensing regulations begin with a transition on 6 April 2025 and will require licences for private keepers from 6 April 2026. Separately, changes addressing dogs that attack or worry livestock are due on 18 March 2026 and are reported to expand police powers and penalties. Local authorities and government departments are mentioned as responsible for enforcement and communication. Reported details: - Primate licensing: The Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024 are reported to come into force on 6 April 2025 with a one-year transition, and from 6 April 2026 private keepers will need a licence meeting welfare standards similar to those required in zoos. - Administration: Local authorities are reported to be responsible for administering and enforcing the primate licensing regime, and officials reported that owners were encouraged to review the licensing conditions ahead of enforcement. - Dog and livestock rules: Changes due on 18 March 2026 are reported to separate 'attacking' from 'worrying' livestock, raise potential fines from £1,000 to unlimited, and provide police with powers to seize or detain a dog where there are reasonable grounds to believe it could attack or worry livestock again; reports also mention possible custodial penalties. - Government comment: The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs is reported to have said livestock worrying can harm animals through fear and stress and that impacts on livestock keepers can include financial loss and personal distress. Summary: These reported changes alter how primates kept privately are regulated and how incidents of dogs worrying or attacking livestock are treated, with explicit enforcement dates. The next procedural steps reported are the primate regulations' transition starting 6 April 2025 with full licensing required from 6 April 2026, and the livestock-related provisions coming into force on 18 March 2026.